Driving mechanism for producing gyratory movements



G. H. HEBEBRAND DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING GYRA'IORY MOVEMENTS Aug. 23, 1949.

Filed July 30, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEQRGE H. HEBEBRAND ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1949., g HEBEBRAND 2,479,682

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING GYRATORY MOVEMENTS Filed July 50, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I GEORGE H. HEBEBRND ATTOR NEY Patented Aug. 23, 1949 DRIVING MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING GYRATORY MOVEMENTS George H. Hebebrand, Berkley City, Mo. Application July so, 1947, serial No. 764,866

"This invention relates for producing gyratory movement of suspended bodies, sifters of sifting machines, for instance, the predominant object of the invention being to provide a gyratory driving mechanism which is of such improved construction and arrangement that sifters of sifting machines may be subjected to gradually increasing gyratory movement at the beginning of a sifter driving operation and to gradually diminishing gyratory movement at the end of the sifter driving operation after power is cut off and thus avoid production of erratic movement of the sifters or movement thereof beyond the limits of their normal zone of operation. 7

In the type of driving mechanism to which this invention relates in which pivotally supported weight means serves to unbalance the driving mechanism and produce the desired gyratory movement, many of the prior drives possessed the disadvantage of producing wide, circular movements of sifters with which the drives were associated both in starting and stopping the drives. This was due to the fact the unbalanc ing weight means of these earlier drives would start to swing outwardly as soon as revolution thereof was started, and as the weight means was quite heavy, there was a tendency for the sifters to move in circular paths in unison with the weight means, instead of opposing movement thereof, thereby throwing the sifters beyond their normal paths of movement and frequently doing damage to the sifting machines. The foregoing was true, also, when power was cut off preparatory to stopping a sifting machine equipped with one of these earlier gyra'to'ry drives, the momentum of the weight'means de* creasing until the movement thereof was substantially synchronized with the movement of the sifter, whereupon their rotating weight means would tend to swing the sifter in a wide circular path causing said sifter to move beyond the limits of its normal zone of movement. p The above mentione'd disadvantages are eliminated in the use of the gyratory drive disclosed herein wherein the weights are so mounted and arranged that when at rest their center of gravity substantially coincides with the center of gravity of the associated sitter. As a result of this'situation, the weights, at the beginning of a driving operation, will have acquired a relat ively high speed of rotation before they start to move outwardlyand when this outward movement of the weights is started said displaced weights immediately throw the sifter on center to driving mechanisms 7 Claims. (01. fi -8?) sothat in each cycle of movement thereafter, the outward throw of the sifter box will oppose the outward throw of the weights. In like manner, when power is cut off preparatory to stopping the sifting machine and the weights approach their retracted positions, they tend to rotate in a substantially balanced manner with the main drive shaft of the sifting machine with practically no tendency to throw the sifter ofi center, whereby the sifter isbrou'ght to rest gradually and by an even movement.

Extremely important features of the present invention have to do with the manner in which the weights are causes to swing outwardly in unison in the operation of the improved driving mechanism, and the manner in which the weights are caused to return to their retracted positions when the speed of rotation of the driving mechanism diminishes after the powerghas been cut off preparatory to arresting operation of the driving mechanism.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the improved driving mechanism of the present invention applied to a plan sifter, the supports for the latter being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal section taken on line 22 of Fig. '1.

V Fig. 3 is an enlarged, horizontal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of part of the driving mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a receptacle forming part of one of the Weight structures of the improved driving mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. '6 an enlarged, horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1. l

In the drawings, wherein is shown for purposes of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates a plan sifter which, as usual, is slip'portedfro'm the ceiling, or other support, by sets of wooden rods, or reeds, B. The plansifter A is comprised of a pair of spaced apart bo'xes C wherein sieves (not shown) are arranged in the usual manner, the sets of wooden rods, or "reeds, B being secured to said boxes. Disposed in the space between the boxes C is a gyrat'o'ry driving mechanism I which is constructed and arrangedjin accordance with the present invention, said driving mechanism including a pair of vertical y spaced bearing structures 2 which are secured at their o posite ends to walls of the boxes C and which are provided with vertically alin'eii bearings 3 that support for rotation'the main shaft I of the plan 's'ifter A. Fixedly mounted on the main shaft 4 is a pulley 5 about which a transmission belt 6 operates for rotating said pulley 5 and said main shaft 4, said transmission belt operating, also, about a pair of smaller pulleys I which are supported for rotation by the boxes C, and about a pulley which may be supported by an overhead power shaft (not shown).

Supported by the main shaft 4 is a secondary shaft 8 which is arranged parallel with respect to said main shaft. The secondary shaft is fixed to the main shaft so that it rotates therewith about the axis of said main shaft, the means employed for attaching said secondary'shaft to said main shaft comprising a pair of brackets 9 and II) which are spaced vertically, asv is "shown in Fig. 1. The brackets 9 and I areof like construction and arrangement, each of said brackets comprising a split clamping structure (seeFig. 16);

which is composed of a'pair of members I I that are recessed to'receive the shafts'4 and 8 and which are drawn together by bolts I2 so thatthey clampingly engage saidshafts for secure attach ment thereto. V

QThegyratory driving mechanism I of the present invention includes a pair of weight structures I3 and I4 which are supportedby the secondary shaft .8 for pivotal movement thereabout, Each weight structure comprises a vertically elongated receptacle which is closed at the bottom and open at the top, the main body of each receptacle being formed-from sheet metal, or other suitable material,- and edges of the materialof which the receptacle is formed being welded, or otherwise secured to a bar I which extendsfrom top-to bottom ofthe receptacle. The receptacle of each weight structure 13 or I4 is provided with a vertically spaced pair of tubular bearing members, the bearing-members ofthe receptacle of the weight structure I3 being designated by the ref- The secondary shaft 8 extends loosely through the bearing members I6 and I! of the receptacles of the weight structures I3 and I4 whereby said receptacles may rotate about said secondary shaft from the positions in which said receptacles are shown by full lines in Fig. 3 to the dotted line positions of' said receptacles as shown in that view. When the gyratory driving mechanism is at rest the lowermostbearing member I Got the receptacle of the weight structure I3 rests on the top face of the bracket III, as is shown in Fig. 1, while the lowermost bearing member I! of the receptacle of the weight structure I4 rests on the top'face-of said lowermost bearing member I6 of the receptacle of said weight structure I3. Also. the upper bearing member I! of the receptacle'cf-the weight structure I4 underlies the.

upper'bearing member of the receptacle of the weight structure l3, as is also shown in Fig. ,1. It is tobe" noted, also, that when the gyratory driving mechanism is at rest the tons of the weight structures are spaced downwardly a considerable distance from the lower face of the bracket 9.

The secondary shaft 8 has fixedly mounted thereon a tubular element I3 which is located between the tubular bearing members I! of the receptacle of the weight structure I4, as is shown in Fig. 1, the uppermost of said tubular bearing; members I'I resting on the top edge of said tubular elementIS when the gyratory driving mechanism. is at rest. The tubular element I8 has formed in the wall thereof a pair of opposed slots I9 and 20, said slots being of partial helical formation, as is shown to good advantage in Fig. 4. The slot I9 of the tubular element I8 receives a shoe 2I that is fixed to a pin 22 which is supported for rotary movement in an opening formed in the bar tacle of the weight structure I4.

In describing the operation of the gyratory driving mechanism disclosed herein attention is first directed to the fact that the receptacles of the weight-structures I3 and I4 are shaped in horizontal section as is shown in Fig. 3. In other words, the receptacles referred to are provided with substantially V-shaped depressions 25 that extend from top to bottom of said receptacles and which, when the weight/structures are at rest, cooperate to provide a space through which the main shaft 4 of the driving mechanism I extends, said space being maintained by contact of corner portions of the receptacles as indicated at 26 in Fig. 3. As a result of the arrangement of the weight structures relative to the main shaft 4, as shown in Fig. 3, the weight of the gyratory driving mechanism is distributed about the main shaft in a substantially balanced manner when the weight structures I3 and I4 are at rest, and, therefore, the center of gravity of the Weight structures I3 and I4 substantially coincides with the center of gravity of the associated plan sifter.

When the improved gyratory driving mechanism is set in motion to impart gyratory motion to the associated plan sifter A, the main shaft 4 and the weight structures I3 and I4 associated therewith rotate during an initial period of operation of the gyratory driving mechanism in a substantially balanced manner. However, when the required rate of speed of operation of the driving mechanism is attained, centrifugal force overcomes the pull of gravity and the Weight structures I3 and I4 swing outwardly about the secondary shaft 8, the presence of the shoes 2| and 23 in the slots I9 and 20 of the tubular element I8 causing said weight structures to simultaneously move upwardly and said shoes moving longitudinally of the slots. The weight structures I3 and I4 will eventually reach the positions in which they are shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3 where corner portions of said weight structures contact as indicated at 21 in said view. As the weight structures I3 and I4 move outwardly and upwardly, a gradual unbalancing of the driving mechanism occurs which subjects the plan sifter A to gradually increased gyratory motion, the intensity of this gyratory motion of the plan sifter increasing gradually until the weight struc-- tures I3 and reach the maximum unbalanced positions in whichthey are shown by dotted lines in Fig, 3. Thereafter the plan sifter is subjected to-uniform gyratory motion throughout the siftins epcration with the weigh 23 and M in thei positio so gneatestzdisnla ement when t e sifting operation has rbfiifiliWPPb-WQ and the power has been shutoffthareduced ofmtation of the drivin mechanism will ca s the pull ,oi gravity to eoueroome centrifugal force so as to .permit the W i ht ,SlimGill- 16 v 1 mOVB dOlV-I-Hl mldly, whereby the shoes 2:! and as snoring longi ud n l of thesi is 11,9 ends." o he W- eleinent 18 will return the weight st uctures to their positions of res as illu t te by ines in Fig. 3., to cause the-final edition of the operation of thetdriltc mecha ism fiche performed n a balan ed mann r. f r g It, is obvious, therefore, that he aerator-y drive mech nism of the pres t invention operat s in a balanced manner at the beginningof an operation until suffiicientspeed pf, operation is attaind to cause the weight structures to swing outwardly and upwardly, "Thereafter, the maximum gyratory motion is imparted to the plan Sifter throughout the sifting operation,- and after the power is cut off and the speed of operation of the drive mechanism has been reduced sufficiently, the weight structures move downwardly and are returned to their positions of rest throu h cooperation vof the shoes 2| and23 and he s ots wand 2.0 ofthe tubular element 18., o cause the drive mechanism to come to rest while again operating in a balanced manner, Thus, in the operationof the drive mechanism disclosed herein the objectionable wide swinging of the plansifter at beginning and at the end of an operation are entirely eliminated whereby a more efficiently operating structure is provided.

It has been stated herein that the lowermost bearing member it of the receptacle of the weight structure [3 underlies the lowermost bearing member ll of the receptacle of the weight structure I 1, and that the uppermost bearing member ll of the receptacle of said weight structure It underlies the uppermost bearing member l6 of the receptacle of the weight structure 53. As a result of this situation said receptacles of said weight structures are compelled to operate in unison when they swing outwardly and move upwardly, as upward movement of either of said receptacles will subject the other receptacle to corresponding upward movement, which will be translated into rotary movement by cooperation of the shoes 2! and 23 and the slots l9 and of the tubular element I8.

I claim:

1. A driving mechanism for producing gyratory movement of a suspended body, comprising a main shaft supported for axial rotation, a secondary shaft supported by said main shaft for rotary movement therewith about the axis of said main shaft, a pair of weight structures which are both supported by said secondary shaft for rotary movement thereabout and swingable by centrifugal force from positions where said weight structures are substantially balanced relative to said main shaft to positions where said weight structures are unbalanced with respect to said main shaft, and means supported by said secondary shaft for returning said weight structures from unbalanced positions with respect to said main shaft to balanced positions relative thereto.

2. A driving mechanism for producing yratory movement of a suspended body, comprising a main shaft supported for axial rotation, a secondary shaft supported by said main shaft for "rotary movement therewith about the axis of said main shaft, a pair of weight structures which both, supported by said secondar shaft for rotary movement thereabout and swingable by centrifugal force from positions where said weight structures are substantially balanced relative tn said :main shaft to positions where said weight strife-tunes are unbalanced with respect to main shaft, and means. pported by said secondary Shaft for returning said weight structuresfnpm unbalanced positions with nespect to shaft to balanced positions relati-ue thereto, said means cemprising an element fixed to said se ondary shaft and provided with, a pair of uideways, and elements carried by said weight structures are movable respectively in said guideways,

A rivin me han s f producing ym-f movement of a suspended body, comprising a main shaft supplanted for axial rotation, a set ondary shaft upported y said main shaft for movement therewith about the axis of said mains-heft, a pair of weight structures which bath supported by said secondary shaft for rotary HlOiVrQJIiEIlt thereabout and swin 'able centrifugal force positions where said weight structures are substantiall balanced relative to main shaft to positions where said weight su ucturcs are unbalanced with respect to said main shaft, and means supported by said secondary shaft for retu ning said weight structures from unbalance-d positions with respect to said main shaft to balanced positions relative thereto, said means comprising an element of tubular formation ixed to. sa d secondary shaft an p ovided with a pair of guideways, and elements carried by said weight structures which are movable respectively in said guideways.

4. A driving mechanism for producing gyratory movement of a suspended body, comprising a main shaft supported for axial rotation, a secondary shaft supported by said main shaft for rotary movement therewith about the axis of said main shaft, a pair of weight structures which are both supported by said secondary shaft for rotary movement thereabout and swingable by centrifugal force from positions where said weight structures are substantially balanced relative to said main shaft to positions where said weight structures are unbalanced with respect to said main shaft, and means supported by said secondary shaft for returning said weight structures from unbalanced positions with respect to said main shaft to balanced positions relative thereto, said means comprising an element of tubular formation fixed to said secondary shaft and provided with a pair of guideways of partial helical configurations, and elements carried by said Weight structures which are movable respectively in said guideways.

5. A driving mechanism for producing gyratory movement of a suspended body, comprising a,

main shaft supported for axial rotation, a secondary shaft supported by said main shaft for rotary movement therewith about the axis of said main shaft, a pair of weight structures which are both supported by said secondary shaft for rotary movement thereabout and swingable by centrifugal force from positions where said weight structures are substantially balanced relative to said main shaft to positions where said weight structures are unbalanced with respect to said main shaft, and means supported by said secondary shaft for returning said weight structures from unbalanced positions with respect to said main shaft to balanced positions relative thereto, said means comprising an element of tubular formation fixed to said secondary shaft and provided with a pair of slots forming guide-' ways of partial helical configurations, and elements carried by said weight structures which are movable respectively in said guideways.

6. A driving mechanism for producing gyratory movement of a suspended body, comprising a main shaft supported for axial rotation, a secondary shaft supported by said main shaft for rotary movement therewith about the axis of said main shaft, a pair of weight structures which are both supported by said secondary shaft for rotary movement thereabout and swingable by centrifugal force from positions where said Weight structures are substantially balanced relative to said main shaft to positions Where said weight structures are unbalanced with respect to said.

main shaft, and means supported by said secondary shaft for returning said weight structures from unbalanced positions with respect to said main shaft to balanced positions relative thereto, said means comprising an element of tubular formation fixed to said secondary shaft and provided with a pair of slots forming guideways of partial helical configurations, and pivotally supported elements carried by said Weight structures which are movable respectively in said guideways.

7. A driving mechanism for producing gyratory movement of a suspended body, comprising a main shaft supported for axial rotation, a secondary shaft supported by said main shaft for rotary movement therewith about the axis of said main shaft, a pair of weight structures supported 8. by' said secondary shaft for rotary movement thereabout and swingable by centrifugal force from positions where said weight structures are substantially balanced relative to said main shaft to positions where said weight structures are unbalanced with respect to said main shaft, said weight structures comprising each a receptacle which receives therein weight-producing matter, and each of said receptacles being provided with bearing members which embrace said secondary shaft in such relation that a bearingrmember of each weight structure underlies a bearing member of the other weight structure, and means supported by said secondary shaft for returning said weight structures from unbalanced positions with respect to said main shaft to balanced positions relative thereto.

GEORGE H. HEBEBRAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 267,793 Kieferle Nov. 21, 1882 2,372,791 Munro Apr. 3, 1945 2,403,502 Cook July 9, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 71,724 Austria. May 10, 1916 

